Interviews

Sue Willetts and Tim Manford (Dante Fox)British
Melodic Rockers Dante Fox return with a new album hot on the heels of their
acclaimed ‘Breathless’ album. ‘Six String Revolver’ sees them revisiting their
early albums and presenting ...
Posted 9 Jan 2018, 08:21 by Paul Woodward

Jane Gould (Iconic Eye)West
Midlands melodic hard rockers Iconic Eye have just unleashed their second album
‘Into The Light’ and first to feature new vocalist Jane Gould. I spoke to Jane
about joining ...
Posted 25 Nov 2017, 08:21 by Paul Woodward

Anna Murphy (Cellar Darling)Hi Anna, following the success of your previous
band Eluveitie did you find it daunting starting from scratch with Cellar
Darling?Anna: It was chaotic for sure. But the chaos ...
Posted 30 Oct 2017, 08:00 by Paul Woodward

James Thorley (Atlas)New
young English AOR act Atlas are set to make waves in the scene with their debut
EP ‘World In Motion’. I chatted to band leader and Keyboardist James Thorley ...
Posted 29 Aug 2017, 11:37 by Paul Woodward

Joe MateraInterview by WoodyTell
us about your new EP ‘Heart Of Stone’, how the songs were written, what they
are about and the creation of the EP?All the songs ...
Posted 28 Aug 2017, 11:33 by Paul Woodward

Russell Peake (Electus)‘Rock N Roll Incarnate part one’ is the second
Electus album, but for those yet to discover you, can you tell us a little
about the bands formation and its ...
Posted 17 Apr 2017, 08:06 by Paul Woodward

Licia Missori (The Dark Side Of Venus)Italian’s
The Dark Side Of Venus have recently released a new and impressive album
entitled Power
To Victims. I
caught up with principal song writer and composer Licia Missori ...
Posted 11 Feb 2017, 06:11 by Paul Woodward

Eric Montoya and Jareth Grealish ( Hit N Run)Hit N Run hit the burgeoning melodic
rock scene in the early ‘90’s but also fell afoul of the onset of grunge so
their debut album never got released ...
Posted 8 Feb 2017, 14:03 by Paul Woodward

Phil VincentPhil
Vincent’s D’ercole have just released their fourth album No Place Like Home so I thought now was the perfect time
to catch up with him.As
a ...
Posted 19 Jan 2017, 11:55 by Paul Woodward

Stefan Blomqvist (Black Paisley)Black
Paisley are a new band I think many fans of melodic rock and classic rock will
really enjoy. So, I talked to main man Stefan Blomqvist about the emergence ...
Posted 17 Jan 2017, 13:14 by Paul Woodward

Mick Devine (Seven)The unexpected return of multi-national melodic
rockers SEVEN has been met with positivity and excitement from critics and
genre fans alike. With the recent release of the bands stunning ...
Posted 3 Jan 2017, 04:57 by Paul Woodward

Nick Workman (VEGA)So the unusual album artwork for ‘Who We Are’, what’s
the story behind it? We
knew it would be equally loved and disliked and that much is true. Hey ...
Posted 3 Jul 2016, 10:17 by Paul Woodward

Steve Brown of TrixterTrixter
rose to fame in the early nineties with hits such as ‘Give It To Me Good’,
‘Surrender’ and ‘One In A Million’. But when the rock scene shifted drastically ...
Posted 6 Jul 2015, 09:56 by Paul Woodward

Gianluca Firmo of Room ExperienceItaly
has become a little bit of a hotbead for emerging AOR and Melodic Rock bands in
very recent years. Another Italin song writer to emerge this year is Gianluca ...
Posted 6 Jul 2015, 09:52 by Paul Woodward

Jani Liimatainen of Cain's OfferingFinnish melodic metallers
Cain’s Offering release their second album Stormcrow
via Frontiers Records on May 18th, six years after their debut. MR’s Woody caught up with founder ...
Posted 6 Jul 2015, 09:48 by Paul Woodward

Chris Impellitteri (Impellitteri)Guitarist
Chris Impellitteri rose to fame in the late eighties when the young guitar
virtuoso was compared to the likes of Yngwie Malmsteen. The title track from
the first full ...
Posted 12 May 2015, 14:17 by Paul Woodward

Sky Hunter (Stonewire)By
WoodyRising
UK classic rock outfit Stonewire have been receiving critical acclaim across
the board with their debut album ‘When The Crow Flies’. Woody catches up with
the bands ...
Posted 1 Mar 2015, 07:31 by Paul Woodward

Tony MillsInterview by WoodyBorn
and Bred in the West Midlands Tony Mills is one of the most legendary figures
in the Melodic Rock / AOR genre from the area. He rose ...
Posted 14 Feb 2015, 05:51 by Paul Woodward

VEGASince
their emergence in 2010 exciting UK rockers VEGA have been spearheading a
resurgent and rejuvenated Birtish melodic rock scene. Their third album ‘Stereo
Messiah’ sees them going from strength ...
Posted 31 Dec 2014, 13:34 by Paul Woodward

Rolf Munkes (Dead End Heroes) InterviewOriginally
starting life as a solo project for drummer Daniel Voegeli to showcase his song
writing, but after hooking up with long time friend Rolf Munkes to produce the
album ...
Posted 14 Oct 2014, 13:14 by Paul Woodward

Ken Sandin (Alien)Interview by Woody Hi Ken, It’s been a
long time since Alien’s previous album ‘Dark Eyes’ but I’m loving ‘Eternity’
and it was definitely worth the wait ...
Posted 25 Jun 2014, 14:32 by Paul Woodward

Joachim Nordlund (Sunstrike)Interview by Woody Hi Joachim, you have just released your debut album with SunStrike
(“Rock Your World”) – As a new band do you find it hard to get noticed as ...
Posted 25 Jun 2014, 14:29 by Paul Woodward

Rik Priem (Rik Priem's Prime)Interview
by WoodyHi
Rik, the lead singer on your debut album is Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schultz who is a
very popular singer in the current melodic rock scene, how did ...
Posted 3 Jun 2014, 09:26 by Paul Woodward

Francesco Cataldo (Perfect View)Interview by WoodyHi
Francesco, Italy has developed a really positive reputation in recent years for
its emerging melodic rock and AOR acts. What’s it like been part of ...
Posted 3 Jun 2014, 09:24 by Paul Woodward

Alexander Kronbrink (Sonic Station)Interview by WoodyHi Alexander, ‘Next
Stop’ is the second album from Sonic Station,
has it turned out as you hoped and originally envisioned?Hi Woody!Yes, I’m very ...
Posted 1 Jun 2014, 17:03 by Paul Woodward

Sami Alho (Free Spirit)Finland’s Free Spirit made lots of fans in melodic
rock circles with their debut album and as a massive fan Woody was keen to talk
to front man Sami ...
Posted 1 Jun 2014, 16:54 by Paul Woodward

Linda and the PunchInterview
by WoodyLinda and The Punch will be a new name to
most, but they roll in prestigious company most notably their producer Michael
Voss and are set to ...
Posted 1 Jun 2014, 16:45 by Paul Woodward

Jens Berglid (Fate)Danish melodic rockers Fate are currently riding
high on the comeback trail and have a new album out now, the rather awesome ‘If
Not For The Devil’. Woody catches up ...
Posted 10 Mar 2014, 16:21 by Paul Woodward

AngelicaBy WoodyAngelica
Rylin is best known as the front woman of Swedish melodic metal act The Murder
Of My Sweet, but her debut solo album ‘Thrive’ sees her go ...
Posted 10 Mar 2014, 16:17 by Paul Woodward

Vince O'Regan (Legion)By
WoodyGuitarist
and prolific songwriter Vince O’Regan is one of the busiest musicians in the UK
and he’s just released his fifth album in four years with ...
Posted 31 Dec 2013, 07:42 by Paul Woodward

Steffan Berggren (Revolution Road)You have been absent from the
melodic rock scene for quite some time now, was there a reason for this and
what brought you back to the biz with Revolution ...
Posted 31 Dec 2013, 07:38 by Paul Woodward

Thomas Riekirk (Sparklands)Interview by WoodyHolland may not be famous for its AOR exports but Sparklands are about
to stir things up and let the AOR sparks fly. So Woody spoke to ...
Posted 11 Nov 2013, 17:11 by Paul Woodward

Jesse DamonInterview
by WoodySilent Rage front man Jesse Damon is back with a
brand new solo album, his first for seven years and it sees him collaborating
closely with AOR ...
Posted 11 Nov 2013, 17:03 by Paul Woodward

David ReeceInterview By WoodyDavid Reece is one of the busiest men in melodic rock
at the moment, fronting Bangalore Choir and Tango Down and he’s about to
release his ...
Posted 11 Nov 2013, 16:58 by Paul Woodward

Paul Logue (Eden's Curse)Hi Paul, I hope your well! Eden’s Curse are about to
unleash their fourth album ‘Symphony Of Sin’. There has been many changes and a
shit load of turmoil ...
Posted 7 Oct 2013, 10:24 by Paul Woodward

Phil Vincent (Legion)Anglo
American rockers Legion have
released five albums in three years! On the eve of their latest one been
released, Woody wanted to catch up
with lead vocalist American Phil ...
Posted 23 Sep 2013, 17:49 by Paul Woodward

Roi Vito Peleg (Chase The Ace)Chase
The Ace is
about to hit the road in the UK and Europe supporting their debut album ‘Are
You Ready’. Woody caught up with
front man of the raucous ...
Posted 23 Sep 2013, 17:47 by Paul Woodward

Andree Theander (The Theander Expression)Hi Andree, You are a new name to the world of melodic rock can you tell
us a bit about yourself and what we can expect from your album ‘Strange ...
Posted 5 Sep 2013, 05:22 by Paul Woodward

Gary Pihl (Boston / Color Three)Gary
Pihl the current guitarist with the legendary AOR band Boston has a new band
Color Three. Woody caught up with him to discuss his latest musical venture.Hi
Gary ...
Posted 5 Sep 2013, 05:17 by Paul Woodward

Steve Newman (Newman)This
summer Newman released his tenth album ‘Siren’. Woody took this opportunity to
catch up with one of the unsung heroes of British melodic rock.Hey Steve, your tenth album ...
Posted 5 Sep 2013, 05:14 by Paul Woodward

Pierpaolo Monti (Charming Grace)Italy has been producing lots of new and exciting
traditional AOR and melodic rock musicians and bands in recent years. One of
those is songwriter Pierpaolo Monti who came to ...
Posted 5 Sep 2013, 05:03 by Paul Woodward

Ged Rylands (Rage Of Angels)Hey
Ged, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks! You seemed to go quiet after your time
with TEN and it’s good to see so active in the music scene ...
Posted 13 Jul 2013, 12:13 by Paul Woodward

Archie (Santa Cruz)Hi, this is Woody form Midlands
Rocks in the UK! Santa Cruz is a new band hailing from Finland, so for those
who are unaware of the band yet can ...
Posted 13 Jul 2013, 12:10 by Paul Woodward

John Clews (Corvus)By
WoodyHi John, You are the guitarist with a new AOR band
hailing from Birmingham – Corvus. So
can you tell us who’s in the band, how you got ...
Posted 27 Jun 2013, 06:35 by Paul Woodward

Paul Uttley (Lost Weekend)By
WoodyHey
Paul, Lost Weekend have been around for quite a while now but for anyone new to
the band can you tell us the Lost Weekend line-up ...
Posted 18 Jun 2013, 13:14 by Paul Woodward

Rick Palin (Skyfest Festival)By
WoodyHi Rick, I believe you are the mastermind behind a
new midlands based melodic rock festival called Skyfest! What inspired you to
put on a melodic rock festival ...
Posted 18 Jun 2013, 13:10 by Paul Woodward

Daylight RobberyBy WoodyHi Tony, Mark, Col and Ben! For those who
don’t know Daylight Robbery how did you form, who’s in the band and how would
you describe ...
Posted 18 Jun 2013, 13:05 by Paul Woodward

Toni Gale & Mark Wilkins (Shyne)Interview By WoodyHi Guys, Shyne are a
really new band and as far as I’m aware you haven’t been formed long? How did
the band get together ...
Posted 8 May 2013, 16:12 by Paul Woodward

Sarah & Melissa Fontaine (Chasing Violets)-
Hey
Sarah and Melissa, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks in the UK, hope all is
well!
Chasing Violets : Hi
Woody, we are fine thank you ! We are glad to ...
Posted 15 Dec 2012, 14:57 by Paul Woodward

Stevie K (Escape)Hey Stevie, Woody here from Midlands Rocks,
hope all is well in sunny Northern Ireland!You are the vocalist in a new UK AOR band –
Escape. How did you become ...
Posted 15 Dec 2012, 14:43 by Paul Woodward

Michael BormannHi Michael, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks, I hope you are well!Hey Woody, nice doing this interview with you. I am curious, what questions you´re coming up ...
Posted 3 Apr 2012, 13:25 by Paul Woodward

John Blaze (Arabia)Interview by WoodyHi John, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks, I hope you are well!Hey Woody – nice to meet ya!! I am freakin’ doing awesome!So John are ...
Posted 3 Apr 2012, 13:21 by Paul Woodward

Mark Thompson-Smith (Big Life)
Hi Mark, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks; I hope you’re well and up for answering a few questions for us!“Hi Woody, I'm very well, thank you ...
Posted 25 Oct 2011, 06:45 by Paul Woodward

Steve Newman (Newman)Hi Steve, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks, I hope your well and ready to talk about your new album “Under Southern Skies” due out on September 23rd on ...
Posted 13 Oct 2011, 15:00 by Paul Woodward

Matt Black (Serpentine)
Hi Matt, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks, hope your well and ready for a few questions! Earlier this year you were named as the new singer for British AOR ...
Posted 13 Oct 2011, 14:54 by Paul Woodward

Pete Fry (Far Cry)
Hi Pete, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks; I hope you’re well and up for doing a quick interview for us!Woody, the pleasure is all mine, I’m ...
Posted 20 Sep 2011, 15:08 by Paul Woodward

Lee Small (Shy)
Hi Lee, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks, hoping your keeping well and ready for some questions!You’re currently the front man of one of the UK’s most ...
Posted 11 Sep 2011, 05:25 by Paul Woodward

Reuben Archer (Stampede)
(Photo's by Paul Broome)
Hi Reuben, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks, hope your well and ready for a few questions!Stampede reformed in 2009, what inspired the band ...
Posted 25 Jul 2011, 12:39 by Paul Woodward

Paul Logue (Eden's Curse)
Hi Paul, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks; I hope you are doing well and up for talking about your band Eden’s Curse and upcoming third album “Trinity” due ...
Posted 25 Jul 2011, 12:27 by Paul Woodward

Dan Trigger (Trigger)
Hi Dan, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks, hope you are well?! Now the band has been around a while, but for those who don’t know who are Trigger ...
Posted 25 Jul 2011, 12:17 by Paul Woodward

Sue Willets & Tim Manford (Dante Fox)
Hi Sue & Tim, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks, hope you are doing well? I thought it was about time MR caught up with you guys with the band been ...
Posted 25 Jul 2011, 12:42 by Paul Woodward

Anders Rydholm (Grand Illusion)Its been 6 years since GI's last album, but now the melodic rockers from Sweden return to the scene. All of which means that Woody gets on the blower ...
Posted 25 Jul 2011, 11:58 by Paul Woodward

Gareth Noon (Serpentine)Hi Gaz, this is Woody from Midlands Rocks hope you and the rest of the Serp’s are well and up for answering a few questions? Looking forward to it ...
Posted 25 Jul 2011, 11:56 by Paul Woodward

Torstein Flakne (Stage Dolls)Hi Torstein, this is Woody from UK website Midlands Rocks. Hope your well. Very well thanks Woody…. Good to speak to you!! When you were writing the new album “Always ...
Posted 25 Jul 2011, 11:52 by Paul Woodward

Craig Chapman (Tara's Secret)
(Woody) The album has been out a few months now. What's the reaction and feedback been to "Vertigo" so far?(Craig Chapman) Very good thanks, we’re getting some ...
Posted 25 Jul 2011, 11:48 by Paul Woodward

Tony Mills (Shy/TNT)This is my interview with Legendary Midlands rock singer Tony Mills of Shy , TNT , State Of Rock & Serpentine too name but a few of his bands over his long career ...
Posted 25 Jul 2011, 12:43 by Paul Woodward